Felted Necklace

As I mentioned...my daughter's birthday falls on Easter this year. I am not totally sure how exactly I am going to combine the two yet-- Bunny Birthday Cake? Gifts inside eggs? Easter treats for gifts?

However it shakes out, I thought I better get busy doing a few things for the big day. This afternoon during nap time I made this little felted bead necklace. I thought about doing a little tutorial, but really...you don't need me to explain how to thread beads onto string.

What you will want to know is where to get felted beads. I used a combination of beads I made myself using a wet felting technique, and bought beads found here. I had planned to buy felted balls for a Christmas garland this past one, but it turns out I wasn't the only one with that bright idea and they sold out before I got around to buying them. So when they finally came back into stock recently, I snatched up a good mix (have a few more projects planned). At any rate... the size I used for the necklace are 1cm.

Also, I used a doll makers needle to thread the beads. Its basically just a fatter needle with a big eye, which works well with sturdier thread. And when I had threaded all my beads, I just tied the ends in a knot...nothing fancy to fasten it (after making sure the length would fit over her head first).

I love simple projects like this where the the colors are really the star. Natural fibers are great that way, because they accept dye so well...the possibilities to create whatever you envision are endless.

I can't wait to put this in her Birthday/Easter basket/gift!